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Business etiquette, language & culture
Spanish Society & Culture
Language
The Spanish language is Castillian and comes from the region of Castille. It is the official language of the entire country. However, there are several languages spoken in Spain in addition to Spanish, each with their own pronunciations and spellings, including Catalan (spoken in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and Valencia); Valencian (in Valencia); Galician or Gallego (in northwest Spain); and Euskera (in the Basque area).
Knowledge of English is reasonably extensive in Spanish business, particularly amongst executives and the younger generation, but do not rely on being able to communicate in English – check ahead to see if an interpreter is needed. The DIT (formerly UKTI) teams in Spain can assist with finding an interpreter if required (see contact details in this guide).
As a common courtesy, as a UK business wishing to succeed in Spain you will find that understanding and speaking a little Spanish – although possibly not essential – does indicate that you are serious about doing business there, and shows that you are keen to understand and appreciate their local culture. If your plan is to sell to the Spanish, try to speak Spanish.
The people
The majority of Spaniards are Roman Catholic, although different religious beliefs are accepted, and the family is considered the most important thing to the Spanish. They are cheerful and outgoing, and use expansive body language to express this. Personal pride and individualism are highly valued, as are character and rank and status, with conservatism and modesty being valued over assertiveness. People strive to project affluence and social position as appearance is considered extremely important, dressing elegantly and avoiding bright or flashy colours. Human relationships are also considered very important, particularly in the business world.
Meeting and greeting
While many Spaniards of the opposite sex greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks, this is not common in business relationships unless the parties know each other well. It is best to shake hands with everyone present – men, women and children – at a business or social meeting. If a kiss is appropriate, the Spanish will initiate it.
The Spanish have two first names and two surnames, composed of their father's first surname and their mother's first surname. Use Señor (Sr.) or Señora (Sra.) as you would Mr. or Mrs., and ‘Señorita’ for an unmarried woman.
Dining
Business can be conducted over meals, but be aware that the Spanish regard eating mainly as a sociable activity. Spaniards rarely invite business contacts to their home; instead they prefer to meet in a restaurant or café. Lunches/dinners are a vital part of establishing a relationship to see if the chemistry is correct and to develop trust. Generally very little business tends to be carried out at mealtimes.
It is acceptable and not uncommon to be late by 30 minutes in southern Spain and 15 minutes in northern Spain for social meetings. Restaurants tend to stay open late at night, and dinner usually commences around 9.00 or 10.00pm.
Corporate culture
Overview
Dress code is hugely important in Spain. How you dress will be perceived as a reflection of your social standing and success in business. A belief in status permeates all aspects of Spanish society – ideally you should try to find a well-connected person to establish good introductions for you.
Trust and personal relationships are the keys to the success of doing business in Spain. Spaniards will want to spend time getting to know you and establishing a relationship before doing business. Personal qualities are valued over technical ability, professionalism or competence.
Spaniards do not take punctuality for business meetings seriously, but expect that you will be on time. However, be prepared to possibly wait a while for your Spanish counterparts to arrive.
Do not be surprised if during business meetings your Spanish colleagues speak at the same time or interrupt one another – this is not unusual and it is common to express open disagreement and constructive conflict. Do not move away or keep your distance as this may be interpreted as unfriendly. The Spanish prefer less personal space than is the norm in the UK.
Emails
Be careful with emails. Write in Spanish whenever possible using good, simple, concise and direct language. Never rely on internet translation sites as they are often inaccurate – always use a Spanish person or official translator. See: www.astlanguage.com
Business cards
These should be printed in English on one side and in Spanish overleaf. You should hand your card with the Spanish side facing the recipient.
Meetings
To arrange a meeting write first (in Spanish), and follow-up with a phone call or e-mail. Large businesses usually work from 9.00 am until about 1.30 or 2.00 pm, then from 4.30 or 5.00 pm until about 8.00 pm, with a long lunch break of about two hours starting around 1.30pm. The best time for meetings is between 10.00 and 11.00 am or after 5.00 pm. Avoid Friday afternoons, August, Catholic festivals and national holidays as many businesses will be closed (see the table of holidays).
Business can be conducted over meals, but be aware that the Spanish regard eating mainly as a social activity.
Spanish public holidays
2016
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
Region |
25 Oct |
Tue |
Basque Country Regional Holiday |
Basque Country |
1 Nov |
Tue |
All Saints' Day |
National |
3 Dec |
Sat |
San Francisco Javier |
Navarre |
6 Dec |
Tue |
Constitution Day |
National |
8 Dec |
Thu |
Immaculate Conception |
National |
25 Dec |
Sun |
Christmas Day |
National |
26 Dec |
Mon |
Regional Holiday |
Extremadura |
26 Dec |
Mon |
St. Stephen's Day |
Catalonia |
2017
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
Region |
1 Jan |
Sun |
New Year's Day |
National |
6 Jan |
Fri |
Epiphany |
National |
28 Feb |
Tue |
Andalusia Regional Holiday |
Andalusia |
1 Mar |
Wed |
Balearic Islands Regional Holiday |
Balearic Islands |
19 Mar |
Sun |
St. Joseph's Day |
Melilla, Castilla-La Mancha, Galicia, Balearic Islands, Madrid, Murcia, Navarre, Asturias, Valencia |
13 Apr |
Thu |
Maundy Thursday |
National (Except Catalonia and Valencia) |
14 Apr |
Fri |
Good Friday |
National |
17 Apr |
Mon |
Easter Monday |
Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Navarre, Basque Country, Valencia |
24 Apr |
Mon |
Aragon Regional Holiday |
Aragon |
24 Apr |
Mon |
Castile and León Regional Holiday |
Castile and León |
1 May |
Mon |
Labour Day |
National |
2 May |
Tue |
Madrid Regional Holiday |
Madrid |
15 May |
Mon |
San Isidro |
Madrid |
17 May |
Wed |
Galician Literature Day |
Galicia |
30 May |
Tue |
Canary Islands Regional Holiday |
Canary Islands |
31 May |
Wed |
Castile-La Mancha Regional Holiday |
Castilla-La Mancha |
9 Jun |
Fri |
Murcia Regional Holiday |
Murcia |
9 Jun |
Fri |
La Rioja Regional Holiday |
La Rioja |
15 Jun |
Thu |
Corpus Christi |
Castilla-La Mancha |
24 Jun |
Sat |
St. John's Day |
Catalonia |
25 Jul |
Tue |
St. James Day |
Galicia |
15 Aug |
Tue |
Assumption of Mary |
National |
2 Sep |
Sat |
Ceuta Municipal Holiday |
Ceuta |
1 Sep |
Fri |
Feast of the Sacrifice / Eid al-Adha |
Ceuta & Melilla |
8 Sep |
Fri |
Astorias Regional Holiday |
Asturias |
8 Sep |
Fri |
Extremadura Regional Holiday |
Extremadura |
11 Sep |
Mon |
National Day of Catalonia |
Catalonia |
15 Sep |
Fri |
Cantabria Regional Holiday |
Cantabria |
9 Oct |
Mon |
Valencian Regional Holiday |
Valencia |
12 Oct |
Thu |
Fiesta Nacional de España |
National |
25 Oct |
Wed |
Basque Country Regional Holiday |
Basque Country |
1 Nov |
Wed |
All Saints' Day |
National |
6 Dec |
Wed |
Constitution Day |
National |
8 Dec |
Fri |
Immaculate Conception |
National |
25 Dec |
Mon |
Christmas Day |
National |
26 Dec |
Tue |
St. Stephen's Day |
Catalonia |
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